Morgan Turinui is shattered after hearing Brumbies forward Shawn Mackay – his best friend for more than 20 years – was in a coma in South Africa.

Mackay has serious spinal, leg and facial injuries after being hit by an armed response vehicle while crossing a road in Durban in the early hours of Sunday morning and remains in a medically induced coma in St Augustine’s Hospital.

The accident has stunned the Australian rugby community and few are hurting more than injured Queensland Reds centre Turinui, who has known Mackay since they were five years old.

‘He was my best man when I got married and he is my son’s godfather,’ said Turinui.

Turinui and Mackay have been best mates since attending St Anthony’s Primary School in the eastern suburbs of Sydney and then nearby Waverley College. They went on to play club rugby at Randwick together and have remained close.

Turinui said he ‘just felt sick’ when he was told that Mackay was fighting for his life.

‘I’ve spoken to his family and the stuff that has been released to the media is what we know,’ he said. ‘It’s just a waiting game now.’